Press Release2026-10-16

Sen. Rick Scott Visits Cyprus to Strengthen Collective Security Ties in the Mediterranean, Reaffirm Cypriot Sovereignty

Context

This press release from Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) was published on 2026-10-16 and titled "Sen. Rick Scott Visits Cyprus to Strengthen Collective Security Ties in the Mediterranean, Reaffirm Cypriot Sovereignty".

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LARNACA, Cyprus - Today, U.S. Senator Rick Scott, member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, traveled to the Republic of Cyprus to meet with Cypriot leaders. During his visit, Senator Scott discussed American interests in the Mediterranean and reaffirmed his support for Cypriot sovereignty from illegal Turkish military occupation forces and political pressure from Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the trip, Senator Scott met with U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus John Breslow and Cypriot Energy, Commerce, and Industry Minister Michael Damianos to discuss the expanding energy infrastructure between Europe and the Middle East as the United States increases oil and gas exports to the region. Senator Scott also visited the demilitarized United Nations Buffer Zone, which separates the south and north of the island and has been illegally occupied following a Turkish military invasion in 1974. Senator Rick Scott said, "America wants our allies in the Mediterranean and the Middle East to be strong so they can defend themselves without the U.S. acting as the world's policeman. A strong, reunified Cyprus makes it easier to do business in the region and counters the aggression we've seen from thugs like Putin and Erdogan. The principal obstacle to Cypriot sovereignty right now is Turkey, and we won't see progress until Erdogan and his regime decide to support their NATO obligations. "As the U.S. energy industry expands in the region and the flow of energy between the Middle East and Europe grows, our allies and partners must remain strong to deter potential threats. America's enemies chose to hate us, and they need to understand the United States will not let threats to our interests go unanswered." U.S. Senator Rick Scott meets with John Breslow, U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus (left), and Michael Damianos, Energy, Commerce, and Industry Minister (center) in Larnaca, Cyprus, on October 16, 2026. U.S. Senator Rick Scott speaks alongside Michael Damianos, Energy, Commerce, and Industry Minister in Larnaca, Cyprus, on October 16, 2026. ###

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Sen. Rick Scott Visits Cyprus to Strengthen Collective Security Ties in the Mediterranean, Reaffirm Cypriot Sovereignty LARNACA, Cyprus - Today, U.S. Senator Rick Scott, member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, traveled to the Republic of Cyprus to meet with Cypriot leaders. During his visit, Senator Scott discussed American interests in the Mediterranean and reaffirmed his support for Cypriot sovereignty from illegal Turkish military occupation forces and political pressure from Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During the trip, Senator Scott met with U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus John Breslow and Cypriot Energy, Commerce, and Industry Minister Michael Damianos to discuss the expanding energy infrastructure between Europe and the Middle East as the United States increases oil and gas exports to the region. Senator Scott also visited the demilitarized United Nations Buffer Zone, which separates the south and north of the island and has been illegally occupied following a Turkish military invasion in 1974. Senator Rick Scott said, "America wants our allies in the Mediterranean and the Middle East to be strong so they can defend themselves without the U.S. acting as the world's policeman. A strong, reunified Cyprus makes it easier to do business in the region and counters the aggression we've seen from thugs like Putin and Erdogan. The principal obstacle to Cypriot sovereignty right now is Turkey, and we won't see progress until Erdogan and his regime decide to support their NATO obligations. "As the U.S. energy industry expands in the region and the flow of energy between the Middle East and Europe grows, our allies and partners must remain strong to deter potential threats. America's enemies chose to hate us, and they need to understand the United States will not let threats to our interests go unanswered." U.S. Senator Rick Scott meets with John Breslow, U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus (left), and Michael Damianos, Energy, Commerce, and Industry Minister (center) in Larnaca, Cyprus, on October 16, 2026. U.S. Senator Rick Scott speaks alongside Michael Damianos, Energy, Commerce, and Industry Minister in Larnaca, Cyprus, on October 16, 2026. ###